Bethlehem Steel FC Ready for First Exhibition Against FC Motown

Bethlehem Steel FC will take the field for its first match of 2018 when the club hosts FC Motown on Saturday, February 10 at YSC Sports. Kick off from Wayne, Pa., is slated for 2 p.m. and the match is free and open to the public.

After beginning preseason practices in late January, Steel FC is eager to return to the field with a preseason roster that combines the club’s roster along with trialists and members of the Philadelphia Union Academy.

“We are really looking forward to getting back on the field and competing against another team,” Bethlehem Steel FC head coach Brendan Burke said. “It’s why we have some many preseason games lined up and I’m sure those will be made public quite soon. Overall we want to give these guys the opportunity to show what they can do in bigger spaces within our system. That doesn’t happen in one game so the more opportunities to have a trial run, the better as we prepare for Richmond in our first match of the season.”

Steel FC returns four members of last year’s USL Cup Playoffs squad, with James Chambers, Chris Nanco, Santi Moar and Matt Mahoney all looking to build upon last year’s foundation. The match will also feature as the Steel FC the debuts preseason signings Brandon Allen and Brandon Aubrey along with all three 2018 MLS SuperDraft selections by the Philadelphia Union.

Formerly the Clarkstown SC Eagles, the club was rebranded FC Motown in December 2017 and competes in the National Premier Soccer League. The Morristown, N.J., club went 6-2-2 in the Keystone Conference last season, scoring 40 goals in route to an appearance in the Regional Finals. The two clubs will be meeting for the first time in February. The match will present a personal connection for Steel FC, as NPSL club helped launch the career of forward Brandon Allen.